Stealing Spree

Chapter 2379: A dinner before going home

Before I could leave for the night, Marika brought me to her room upstairs where we cuddled until she eventually calmed down. She was trembling from intense emotion, after all. There was joy, nervousness and also fear. We passed the initial meeting with her aunt with the help of the eccentric old man but we both knew that it was just the beginning.

And now that her aunt would be staying here with her, sheʼd definitely start monitoring her.

Could we turn her aunt into an ally? Thatʼs a possibility considering she had that connection to the old man and heʼs even willing to take over the deal with them. Even if the Kaneko Family didnʼt have a construction company in their business empire, they would have plenty of connections that could be used for something like that.

”Alright, see you tomorrow, Marika. Do you want me to pick you up or...?”

Marika shook her head as she put on a brave and determined smile, ”Itʼs fine, Ruki-kun. I can do it. I can raise my head in front of Aunt Kagura. You donʼt have to worry. Youʼre busy enough as is.”

”Well, you know how I am. I tend to be a worrywart. Remember, you can always call me. Iʼll come running when you need me.”

”Hehe. Yes, Ruki-kun. I love you.” Marika said as she snuggled further into my embrace, her eyes shining with affection.

I kissed her again and matched her affection for me, ”I love you too, Marika. Now, shall I escort you downstairs to dinner before I leave?”

Marika nodded and we made our way downstairs where Kagura-san was already seated, her expression unreadable.

”You havenʼt left yet?” she asked, raising a perfectly sculpted brow.

”I was about to, Kagura-san. Itʼs just... I canʼt leave Marika alone yet,” I said with a gentle smile as I guided Marika to her seat.

Looks like the servants she brought with her had also been tasked to help her prepare dinner. Before this day, Marika was cooking for herself if she was not getting bugged by the invitation by the Ichihara. Although I havenʼt tasted her cooking yet, she had long told me that she also made an effort to learn it for Ichihara Jun alongside her initial plan of fostering their relationship little by little.

But because of the idiotsʼ negligence she never had the chance to cook for him. Now, she wanted to do it for me but she never had the time to prepare for it yet, especially with this situation happening.

”Ruki, eat with us?” Marika grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to the table. Her voice had a childlike innocence to it, but the underlying request was clear. She wanted to keep the connection between us in front of her aunt, to assert that no matter what, we were together. Well, I have a trained stomach that can eat multiple dinners in different houses. Besides, looking at how her aunt seemed to be still trying to assert her power by serving dinner herself, itʼd be rude not to at least eat something.

I nodded at Marika before turning to her aunt who had already signaled for the servant to prepare another plate for me.

”Thank you for the meal, Kagura-san,” I said politely as I took a seat beside Marika.

The dinner was a silent affair, with Kagura-san serving us with an air of stoicism, as though she was performing a sacred duty. The food was exquisite, a blend of traditional Japanese flavors with a modern twist. Probably something she picked up during her travels.

I could feel Kagura-sanʼs eyes on me, scrutinizing my every move. But whenever I would raise my gaze to meet hers, she would just move her eyebrows as though telling me to focus on the food.

Marika, on the other hand, was visibly nervous. She would often glance at me, looking for reassurance, which I would give her with a soft smile. I had to admit, the food was delicious. Itʼs not something I could make even if I tried.

When the dinner ended, Kagura-san cleared her throat, setting down her chopsticks with a click. ”Marika, send our guest out. Itʼs getting late.”

She wonʼt let me stay a second longer, huh? Itʼs like she already owned the place. But well, Iʼll concede for tonight. Marika needed time to adjust to her auntʼs presence, after all.

Marika nodded, standing up and tugging at my sleeve. ”Ruki-kun, Iʼll walk you to the door.”

As we made our way through the hallway leading to the front entrance, she leaned closer to me, whispering, ”Iʼll be okay. Donʼt worry too much about me.”

”Iʼll always worry about you,” I whispered back, placing a comforting hand on her waist. ”But I trust you can do this, Marika. Youʼre stronger than you think. Remember how itʼs you who made the first move to get back at Ichihara Jun.”

Marika giggled as she nodded, her lips curving into a hint of mischief. ”Youʼre right, Ruki- kun. I can be quite the schemer when I need to be.”

Her playful tone made me laugh and for a brief moment, the tension between us and her aunt felt like it was miles away.

After one last kiss that we shared right next to the door, Marika stepped aside, her hold on my hand lingered for a bit before I opened the door and stepped out into the night.

Before walking away, I glanced back one last time to see Marikaʼs expression. She put on her usual lovely smile and waved before mouthing, ”Safe journey, Ruki-kun.”

It was a sweet gesture, but the way she said it made it feel like she was sending a knight off to battle. I couldnʼt help but laugh a little to myself.

I involuntarily bowed and saluted Marika as I left, which made her giggle again. It was a strange sight, a modern-day knight in shining armor, or in my case, a sweat-stained school uniform, leaving his princess behind to face the dragon, or in our case, her aunt.

Anyway, as I walked down the steps from that entrance, I glanced in the direction of the Ichihara Compound.

I was expecting Ichihara Jun to block my way again but I guess he was getting chewed out earlier.

Maybe Iʼll hear an update about it from Ichihara-san soon.

Going home, I took the bus instead of the train to get more tranquility in my surroundings. Marikaʼs issue might be the biggest thing I was facing right now but like she said, I was already busy putting all my attention to it.

Thereʼs the incoming cultural festival. The release of Yue, Akane and Mihoʼs collaboration song. The modeling gig that I agreed to for Yua and the possible role in the music video for that song. My part-time job. My continued dabbling in the business industry with Mizuki. My plan to go to the Summer Comiket with Hiyori and a lot more.

Yeah. It would be a long list since I had a lot going on with different girls, not to mention the dates I set up. Thereʼs my date with Setsuna-nee and the group date while acting as Otsuka- senpaiʼs boyfriend. Of course, the upcoming birthdays and short dates that I wanted to give the other girls every time there was a chance.

If I were a machine, I wouldʼve long ago overheated with the amount of juggling I had to do. But as a human, I just felt a bit... tired. But it was a good kind of tired. The kind of tiredness that came from knowing that I was doing this all for my girlsʼ happiness.

I wouldnʼt dare show them my tired face though or theyʼd be the ones worrying about me

again.